BY AMY BALTODANO
Hays Post

The Hays Public Library’s Young Adult Department had its Summer Reading Kickoff Party on Tuesday afternoon. Students attending middle school and high school were eligible to participate.

Due to the weather, it was moved into the HPL and provided students with hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and cupcakes.

“It was convenient that both USD 489 and TMP schools ended today so that allowed more students to attend,” said Young Adult Librarian Scott Rader.

A long list of donors will allow prizes to be handed out through the entire summer. Some prizes include Qdoba entrees and free pizzas from Papa Murphy’s. The main item up for grabs is a Blu-Ray player.

To keep the students entertained, they were divided into small groups to play a variety of one-minute games. Some of those games included Pink Elephants, Penny Hose and Chocolate Unicorns, where kids were challenged to stack six cookies on their foreheads.

HPL has been doing the CAKE Summer Reading Program for seven years. All the students need to do is read one mystery or complete an activity at the library.

Rader said he likes “to really push reading, because in the summer they tend to go backwards. Just being involved in any activity such as going to the museum a few times or even just reading one book will help with that.”

Even those who prefer not to devour books can take part. For example, if you enjoy playing video games, then you can write a review for the video game.

Rader hoped the kids “just have fun and learn info on the program and how to win prizes. Reading is the biggest way to win prizes.”